Terri Griffin knew she'd have to get creative when people were told to avoid large gatherings, so the artist and Liberty Gallery coordinator decided that if people couldn't go out to look at art on the floor above Pottery Place Plus and Auntie's, she'd make a gallery online.
Hence, the Instagram hashtag #newyearnewday2021 was born. You'll find some of Griffin's work there, as well as friends she reached out when she launched the project last week, and other artists who got wind of the project and were compelled to share their work with an audience largely captive at home and living online.
"We all went in our studios to do art and soothe ourselves," Griffin says. Creating an online gallery, she adds, is a way to "inspire the artists and share with the community."
There are 71 posts just a few days in, and images of a wide range of styles. As you furiously bounce between news websites and connect with friends on social media, a stop by #newyearnewday2021 might just give you a salve for your soul.
"Coming together as a community is what this is all about," Griffin says.
A night at the theater — at home
The Spokane Civic Theatre had to hit pause on its current season like every theater or music venue in town, but the 73-year-old Spokane mainstay just launched what it's calling the Civic Streaming Series. Using their Facebook page, the Civic streamed a video recording of its 2018-19 production of Mary Poppins to kick off its online experience, and on Wednesday, March 25 and Friday, March 27 at 7:30 pm, they'll stream The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time. Be sure to follow them at facebook.com/Spokane.Civic.Theatre to see what's next.
Read with the Spokane Public Library
I expect if you're reading the Inlander, you are, you know, a reader. We love you! And if you're finding yourself catching up on books now that you're spending a lot of time at home, why not join the Spokane Public Library's Spring Online Reading Program. You can set up reading challenges for yourself, earn points and badges and track your time reading. It's good to have goals!
Story time with the Spokane Hobbit House
The Spokane Hobbit House is one of the city's coolest (and smallest) architectural wonders, and while you can still swing by the spot at "Spokane End," aka 3525 W. 2nd Ave., and pick a (disinfected) book from its Lil Free Library, you can also simply visit facebook.com/SpokaneHobbitHouse and join proprietor Ryan Oelrich as he leads daily book readings and coloring sessions.
Get crafty
The good people at Art Salvage have what you need to keep yourself and any artistically inclined kids busy while you're self-distancing. They have some pre-made kits and grab bags ready while supplies last, or go online at artsalvagespokane.com and order up your supplies for a curbside pickup at the shop at 1925 N. Ash. ♦
